Farmingdale State junior Natalie Budinich (Commack, NY/Commack) ended the season on a high note after scoring a season-high nine goals, three assists and a team-high 11 ground balls to lead the women's lacrosse team to a 14-11 win over Briarcliffe College on Wednesday afternoon. Budinich scored five goals in the first and assisted on a goal by freshman Melissa Rudy (Dix Hills, NY/Hills East). The Rams were down 7-6 at the half but forged ahead in the second after three goals by Tina Tomasello (Melville, NY/Hills East), a goal by Daniella Caroleo (North Babylon, NY/North Babylon) and four more goals from Budinich.

Farmingdale’s defensive unit held Briarcliffe to only four goals in the second half. The freshman crew of Jenn Ryan (Farmingdale, NY/Farmingdale), Amy Serr (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) and Patricia Smirniotis (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) will be back again next season, while seniors Dale Holzman (Northport, NY/Deer Park) and Kelly Ramirez (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) played in their final game for the Rams. Freshman goalkeeper Andrea MacIntyre (Mount Sinai, NY/Mount Sinai) made 10 saves for the win.

This was Farmingdale’s first win in the history of the program. They will be moving up to a varsity program for the 2005-2006 season and playing a full Division III schedule.